Concussion: What It Actually Looks Like and Why It Matters
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Last week’s post “Everything We’ve Learned About Performance” showcased what this newsletter is all about and works as a directory for our most useful articles. Take a read…
Now onto concussions…
Concussion: What It Actually Looks Like and Why It Matters
Hi everyone,
As you’re reading this, I will have arrived yesterday in Italy for my long-awaited ski holiday, eek!! While it may seem I’m trying to brag, I promise this is relevant as to why I chose this topic for my Substack today.
Last week I was chatting to the friends I’m going away with about concussion, what it actually looks like and what to do if someone gets one, and they ALL admitted they didn’t really know the signs; this made my ‘sports rehab brain’ spiral, because, what do you mean I was the only one knowing what a concussion looked like? So of course, I told them all I knew. And so, I think I should tell you all too!
Education around concussion matters. Not just for you, but for the people around you. So, even if you are not planning on skiing, please keep reading. This is information that everyone should know, and it could genuinely make a huge difference one day.
So, let’s break it down.
What is a Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It happens when a knock or force to the head or body causes the brain to move around inside the skull. And a really important point here, you do not have to be knocked out to have a concussion. That’s a very common myth.
Concussions can happen in lots of ways. Falls, collisions, whiplash-type movements, or a direct hit to the head or body. It’s not just contact sport. It can happen skiing, cycling, playing with the kids, or even doing something as normal as DIY at home.
Signs and Symptoms
When it comes to symptoms, concussion doesn’t look the same for everyone. Symptoms can show up straight away, or hours or even days later. They tend to fall into four main areas.
Cognitively, people often struggle with thinking and memory. They may find it hard to think clearly, feel slower than usual, struggle to concentrate, or have difficulty remembering new information.
Physically, symptoms can include headaches or a feeling of pressure in the head, blurred or double vision, nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling unsteady, extreme tiredness, slurred speech, reduced coordination, or in some cases, loss of consciousness.
Emotionally, concussion can cause changes in mood. People may feel more irritable than usual, sad or low, emotionally heightened, or nervous and anxious. These changes are often easiest to spot when you know the person well, for example someone who is usually very easy-going suddenly becoming frustrated or short-tempered.
Sleep can also be affected. Some people sleep much more than usual, others struggle to sleep, or have trouble falling asleep.
With children, it can look slightly different. The biggest things to watch are changes in crying, eating, and sleep. Inconsolable crying, changes in appetite, or disrupted sleep patterns can all be red flags.
If something feels off and you’re not sure, trust your gut. If in doubt, get it checked.
Grades of Concussions
Concussions are often described in three grades. A grade 1 concussion involves brief confusion with no loss of consciousness, and symptoms usually settle within 15 minutes. Grade 2 is similar but the confusion lasts longer than 15 minutes. Grade 3 involves any loss of consciousness at all, even if it’s very brief. If someone has lost consciousness for more than one minute, this requires urgent medical assessment and brain imaging.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with concussion is assuming there’s a set recovery time. Some people feel better within 7 to 14 days, but others can take weeks or even months, especially if they try to push through or return to activity too soon. Children and teenagers often take longer to recover than adults. Feeling “mostly better” does not mean the brain has fully healed.
This is where brain rest comes in. Brain rest means avoiding anything that stimulates the brain. That includes watching TV, using your phone, scrolling social media, reading, working, studying, or anything that requires a lot of concentration. As we’ve discussed in our recovery content before, rest is where adaptation and healing happen, and this applies to your brain just as much as your muscles.
The Dangers of Second Impact Syndrome
And finally, please take this bit seriously. If you have banged your head and don’t feel quite yourself, or someone around you is telling you to stop, please stop and seek advice. Do not think, “I’ll be fine,” and keep going.
A second knock to the head before the brain has recovered can be extremely dangerous. Whether that second impact happens skiing, playing rugby, or even at home doing DIY, it can be the difference between recovery and life-changing injury, or even life and death. It is never worth the risk.
Final Thoughts
Please look after your brain, take concussion seriously, and share this information with the people around you.
Thank you for reading,
— Yasmin
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